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Dollywood has announced that they are building on-site housing for employees that could support seasonal hosts throughout the year. https://fox17.com/news/local/dollywood-building-on-site-housing-for-750-employees-at-pigeon-forge-park-holtz-builders-tennessee-gatlinburg-smoky-mountain-travel-industry-events Dollywood leaders have announced plans to build on-site housing for more than 750 employees at the iconic theme park in the Great Smoky Mountains. The company will be partnering with Holtz Builders, a Wisconsin-based builder, to develop a $20 million residence hall-type housing facility. At 136,000 square feet, the four-story building is expected to be complete next spring. Temporary seasonal hosts—including students—are among residents who can stay at the facility through a variety of Dollywood's hiring programs. Dollywood's VP of Human Resources said Smoky Mountain traveling continues to grow, and the company is eager to hire and house workers as needed. "The Smoky Mountains region has proven to be one of the most popular vacation destinations in the country, and with the growth of businesses and attractions in the area, we need more employees ready to support all of those jobs," Tim Berry said. "Employee housing is a crucial piece of the employment equation in this area, and we are glad to partner with Holtz to create this new opportunity here at Dollywood."

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment's newest COO Tom Iven has resigned from the company less than two months after taking the job. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/seaworld-coo-tom-iven-resigns-after-about-40-days-271628763712 SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. said Tom Iven, its chief operating officer of about 40 days, is resigning for personal reasons, effective Thursday. The theme-park company said Mr. Iven will continue to assist the company through Aug. 20. He joined the company in late June from Six Flags Entertainment Corp. Mr. Iven succeeded Walter Bogumil, who was terminated after about three years with the company. Their departures mark the latest in the string of leadership changes in recent years at the company. In April 2020, Chief Executive Sergio Rivera resigned from the company after being in the post for about five months. Gustavo Antorcha, Mr. Rivera's predecessor, resigned from SeaWorld in September 2019, seven months after taking the helm at the Orlando, Fla., company.

SeaWorld San Antonio has announced details for this year's Howl-O-Scream! https://seaworld.com/san-antonio/events/howl-o-scream/haunted-houses/ HAUNTED HOUSES NEW: THE SWAMP AT BLACKWATER BAYOU The Swamp at Blackwater Bayou transports unsuspecting victims deep into a mystifying and horror-filled Louisianan bayou. These unwanted guests will venture through the moss, muck, and mayhem of a foggy boathouse, swamp, cemetery, and mansion. Will you be able to escape alive or fall victim to the legends of The Swamp? New for 2022, The Swamp at Blackwater Bayou, transports unsuspecting victims deep into a mystifying and horror-filled Louisianan bayou. These unwanted guests will venture through the moss, muck, and mayhem of a foggy boathouse, swamp, cemetery, and mansion. Voodoo curses will render victims blind, the undead and the cursed will torment, and animal-human hybrids will creep alongside as they try to make their way through 12 spine-tingling scenes of absolute horror. Extremely brave explorers will be rewarded with three additional VIP scenes if they have enough courage to risk a grizzly end! MILTON CREEK MANOR A beautiful and lavish hotel had to close its doors after mysterious murders and gruesome events began. After many years, the doors are opened for any brave individuals who dare to walk its halls… but you aren’t the only guest at Milton Creek Manor. Your room is ready, are you brave enough to check into terror? ZOMBIE HORDE Romero Corporation welcomes you to Matheson's Corners. Beware of your invitation to these parts...one wrong move and you may become part of the Zombie Horde! KARVER'S KRADLE They say that Mr. Karver put his heart and soul into his puppetry. They had no idea.... UNEARTHED: SCARLETT'S REVENGE During maintenance at the park, an excavation crew uncovered a centuries old house buried deep beneath the ground. Upon opening its door, a sinister force is unearthed - Scarlett - a furious demon who wields a deadly deck of magical cards summoning creatures of Howl-O-Scream past. TERROR-TORIES NEW: THE SWAMP AT BLACKWATER BAYOU New for 2022, The Swamp at Blackwater Bayou, transports unsuspecting victims deep into a mystifying and horror-filled Louisianan bayou. Venture through the moss, muck, and mayhem of a foggy boathouse, murky swamp, cemetery, and abandoned mansion... or is it? Voodoo curses will render you blind. The undead and the cursed will torment you. NEW: PREY-GROUND Not for child’s play! Enter the Prey-ground if you dare, where your childhood nightmares come alive. NEW: THE SINDUSTRY DISTRICT Welcome to the SINdustry district… where your wants and desires come alive (or dead?). Enjoy drinks, music, and freaks in this fantasy where your imagination will run free. You might regret it! RIPPER ROW Stroll through the alleys of 19th century London, but be careful of dark corners. The spirit of Jack the Ripper lies in wait to disembowel more bodies. SHADOW STREET The demon dolls have found a new place to wreak havoc, stalking the pathway in front of Mr. Karver’s Kradle. Frightful surprises await those who dare to take a closer look. VAMPIRE POINT The disturbing, grotesque, and outright terrifying collide as the world's most frightening urban legends descend on this decaying town for a night of terror. ZOMBIE ZONE A horrible accident changed the residents of Matheson's Corner into the living dead. This Horde continues to spread the poisonous zombie making substance. There's always room for more!

More event details for this year's Howl-O-Scream have been announced! https://buschgardens.com/tampa/events/howl-o-scream/haunted-houses/witch-of-the-woods/ NEW: WITCH OF THE WOODS Something wicked this way haunts…an ominous legend summons you with her inescapable curse. Curiosity has brought many travelers into this dark forest, but only bone-chilling stories and dying screams make their way out. With each step deeper into the woods, the prospect of survival quickly fades as demonic disciples hunt wandering intruders through their abandoned village. Human sacrifices are chased to the witch’s altar, where dark fates are sealed with more than spells. https://buschgardens.com/tampa/events/howl-o-scream/attractions/ SCARE ZONES NEW: VOODOO Driven out of the bayou by ravenous werewolves, the witch doctors now practice their dark magic on you as they pursue their twisted revenge through ancient curses. NEW: SKELETON CREW Rising from their watery grave, shipwrecked pirates seek to plunder the world of the living, taking all lost souls as their bounty. NEW: IN THE SHADOWS Eerie legends and horrifying myths passed down through centuries of ghost stories have gathered in the woods, turning wary skeptics into doomed believers. THE SHORTCUT Cutting through the cemetery may seem like an easy way out, except when the corpses rise from the ground only to drag you back into their graves with them. THE JUNKYARD You’ll find more than spare parts as you rummage through this surly scrap site. Will you make it out in one piece or be devoured by the haunted rubble? LITTLE NIGHTMARES Take a creepy walk down memory lane to the bygone era of papier-mâché masks and homemade costumes sure to stir up the nightmares of your childhood. DEADLY TOYS You can run but you cannot hide as giant toys spring to life in a murderous rampage with you in their sights. Childhood memories will be destroyed when these toys turn a play date into a slay date. HIDDEN SCARE ZONE & ROAMING HORDES Beware of the hidden zone and roaming hoardes...just when you think you know what's coming, untold horrors lurk in the darkness awaiting your arrival. GHOULISH ENTERTAINMENT FIENDS These captivating creatures of the night will infect you with dance fever and keep your pulse pounding with their raucous dance party on the Festival Field Stage. Bring your depraved sense of humor as the deranged doctor takes his motley crew on a wild vacation to Las Vegas. THE ROLLING BONES As guests dine between devilish destinations, the live performance of this skeleton band lights up Dragon Fire Grill with epic covers of classic rock anthems. COASTERS & THRILL RIDES CRASH TEST ZOMBIES Buckle up for an extra bumpy ride where the road rage from your fellow travelers includes a monstrous appetite for human brains. TIGRIS Catapult through an exhilarating array of looping twists with forward & backward motion. COBRA'S CURSE Come face-to-fang on this immersive one-of-a-kind spinning roller coaster. CHEETAH HUNT Race through Busch Gardens on this thrilling triple-launch roller coaster. SHEIKRA 200 feet from the sky, 90° straight down - ride this extreme roller coaster if you dare. FALCON'S FURY Drop 300 feet face-down on North America's tallest freestanding drop tower. MONTU Challenge yourself to seven intense inversions on this award-winning coaster. KUMBA Experience the roar on the legendary steel coaster, Kumba. SCORPION Twist and turn with a 360° vertical loop and speeds of 50 miles per hour. SANDSERPENT Zip, zoom & climb through the air on this "wild-mouse" style coaster. MORE EERIE EXPERIENCES NEW: BLOOD BAR Fuel up on liquid courage at an ALL-NEW ghoulishly-themed outdoor bar! On your way to “The Forgotten” be sure to stop by and pick your poison from bewitching brews and cocktails served by sinister creatures of the dark. After all, our vampires prefer their victims with a little more flavor in their bloodstream. SIGNATURE HOWL-O-SCREAM COCKTAILS Swamp Water Milagro Tequila, Flor de Caña Rum, Beefeater Gin, Monin Granny Apple Witch’s Brew Tito’s Vodka, Blue Curacao, Grenadine, Cranberry Juice The Bite Jell-O Syringe Shot Milagro Tequila, Berry Jell-O Plus a selection of beer, hard seltzers and spirits. SHOP OF HORRORS Be sure to stop by the Shop of Horrors featuring the latest Howl-O-Scream fashions including shirts, hats, ghoulish sweatshirts and haunting gifts. GAMES Test your luck at DarkHeart’s Games of Skill, located in Pantopia. A plethora of classic and new-age carnival games means there’s something for everyone’s taste. You can also win prizes at several other games around the park!

SeaWorld Orlando has announced the newest details for this year's Howl-O-Scream! https://seaworld.com/orlando/events/howl-o-scream/attractions/?scroll-to=haunted-houses HAUNTED HOUSES WATER'S EDGE INN What began as an escape to a peaceful seaside hotel has turned into a terrifying struggle to find an escape from it. This inn sure doesn’t look like the pictures in the review. From the moment you arrive, you can feel that something is terribly wrong. Every crumbling hallway and decaying room is crawling with restless souls. Maybe those wild stories about this place’s sea-crazed owner and his search for the sirens were true all along. Having second thoughts about checking in? Don’t worry, the staff will be right with you…everywhere you turn. TERRIFYING SHOWS SIRENS' SONG The sirens are here to tell their story…and feast on your fears. Don’t miss a moment of this mesmerizing outdoor show. Who's behind all these ominous occurrences? Here’s your chance to find out…if you have the courage to face her, and the ones she’s summoned to help her carry out the carnage. Prepare for special effects, hypnotic dancing, and spine-chilling savagery in this outdoor spectacle. This is the story of the sirens, and it’s not for the faint of heart. SCARE ZONES DEADLY AMBUSH The year is 1961. You’ve wandered into a quaint campground, nestled in nature. It might sound like a dream, but a new nightmare has just begun here. What’s happened to the campers? Creatures are emerging from the darkness. There’s nowhere to hide, and no park ranger to rescue you. Get back to civilization now, before it’s too late. THEMED BAR EXPERIENCES SIRENS' LAST CALL Creatures of the shadows need a place to play too. Could it be this rusted-out underground warehouse? Glance around and do your best to blend in. The regulars here are followers of the siren, and they know how to spot an outsider. Be sure to pay homage to her by trying the bar’s signature drink, “The Siren's Kiss.” HOWL-O-SCREAM RIDES IN THE DARK It wouldn’t be a SeaWorld visit without a ride or two, but it wouldn’t be Howl-O-Scream without a dose of nighttime terror. After nightfall, every moment of fun comes with a splash of fear. Enjoy Mako, Orlando's tallest and fastest coaster, and Infinity Falls, Florida's tallest rapids ride, in the DARK! I also noticed something of note in the description for the Front Line Fear Extreme... One of the houses will have bonus rooms accessible exclusively by Front Line Fear Extreme ticket holders.

Knott's Berry Farm has released two announcement videos revealing the mazes and shows that will be featured at this year's Knott's Scary Farm!

Kings Dominion has officially announced the theme of the updated area, Jungle X-Pedition including the addition of a new S&S 4D Spin Coaster called Tumbili! We'll be posting more details from the media event today soon! https://www.kingsdominion.com/blog/media-center/kings-dominion-to-debut-new-roller-coaster-tumbili-and-rethemed-safari-village-area-in-2022 Explorers wanted! Kings Dominion is renaming and upgrading the Safari Village area of the park and introducing a new roller coaster in 2022. The new area, Jungle X-Pedition, is set to an exotic archeological dig site and research facility, where explorers can visit the base camp for a bite to eat at a new signature restaurant and shop at an immersive retail location. Around the corner, guests can climb aboard a brand-new roller coaster for a topsy-turvy adventure. Tumbili (toom-bee-lee -- the Swahili word for “monkey”) is a thrilling roller coaster that suspends riders on either side of the track as the cars flip continuously throughout the ride. Featuring state-of-the-art magnetic technology that induces and controls spinning, this 4D Spin Coaster will give riders the feeling of weightlessness as they cruise along the track. Guests will be immersed in the area’s rich theming with painted supports resembling bamboo and scenic ruins from the “Monkey God” temple as part of the Jungle X-Pedition discovery. Other features of Tumbili: 112 feet tall 90-degree vertical lift State-of-the-art magnetic technology to induce and control spinning Ride time of 55 seconds Seats eight riders Speeds of 34 mph Two beyond-vertical Raven Drops Three layers of track vertically stacked “Kings Dominion is in the business of making people happy, and the introduction of Tumbili and the Jungle X-Pedition themed area in 2022 is sure to excite our park guests,” said Bridgette Bywater, vice president and general manager. “We place a lot of focus on providing immersive experiences for our guests, and both of these certainly deliver on that promise. Riders will want to ride Tumbili again and again because, depending on the weight, position, and rider interaction, it provides a different ride experience every time. And, Jungle X-Pedition will offer delicious food and retail options for those who want to take a break from it all.” Tumbili is the first of its kind in the region and is slated to open in Spring 2022 along with other new discoveries in the Jungle X-Pedition area. Guests can be the first to experience the new Jungle X-Pedition area and Tumbili with the purchase of a 2022 Gold Season Pass, available now at the lowest price of the season, or a free Kings Dominion Pre-K Pass that provides children between three and five years of age with complimentary admission all season long. Gold Season Passholders receive unlimited access in 2021 and 2022 to Kings Dominion and its Soak City water park; entry to special events like Halloween Haunt, The Great Pumpkin Fest, and WinterFest; free parking, exclusive discounts, and more. For details, animations, and illustrations of Jungle X-Pedition and Tumbili, visit kingsdominion.com. Kings Dominion, a 400-acre amusement park located in Doswell, VA off I-95, is home to more than 60 rides, shows, and attractions, including 12 world-class roller coasters and Soak City, a top-rated 20-acre waterpark. Kings Dominion is a property of Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: FUN), one of the largest regional amusement-resort operators in the world. _____________________________________________________ Here's a look at the media event that told us the story of Tumbili--and the transformation of Safari Village to Jungle X-Pedition. And where does our expedition begin ? Why, at the last outpost of civilization, of course. A proper expedition needs a guide--and a special events kiosk. Stick to the path and you'll be OK. Stray off the path and, well, it was nice knowing you. This view is going to change quite a bit by spring 2022. This will be the restaurant formally known as Outer Hanks next year. It's going to be part of a "base camp" for explorers, and will feature not only a new menu ad kitchen, but a covered patio and bar, as well. Welcome to base camp, explorers! We heard the story of Prof. Gerald Winston Whey, who discovered deep in the jungles of Doswell, Virginia, some ancient temples dedicated to different animals. People entering these temples could take on the powers of the beasts of the jungle. It was here that Prof. Whey encountered a "wild contraption," which hurtled him spinning and swinging over the trees. That "contraption" was the legendary Tumbili. Thus, the Whey Foundation was established to explore the mysteries of this and other ancient temples in the area. But wait? Who's that lurking in the background? It's an elf, with a somewhat creepy present from Santa. Yes, it's the 20th anniversary of Haunt--Halloween has come early this year! Better polish your crucifixes, sharpen your stakes, and break out the garlic. Santa sent a nicer present, too. Winterfest's new Winter Wonderland Parade. The elf and the intrepid explorer seem very pleased. "OK, folks, the presentation's over." Who wants lunch? I think the transformation of the restaurant and the old Safari Village was overdue. I certainly wouldn't mind if the new base camp restaurant offered wild boar and bacon-wrapped gator bites on the menu. This was a great spread. So, relax in your pith helmet and a nice umbrella drink on the veranda at the base camp. You've earned it after a long day of exploration. I am happy to report that I-305 is as nuts as ever . . . . . . as is Twisted Timbers. TPR thanks Kings Dominion for inviting us to their event today. But remember, it's all about . . . . . . Tumbili in 2022! But you can enjoy Haunt and Winterfest this year.

The final lineup of houses, scare zones and shows at Halloween Horror Nights 2021 has been revealed by the Universal Orlando Resort! Check out all of the exciting details for this year's event, which starts on September 3rd, 2021! https://media.universalorlando.com/press-releases/hhn-final-lineup/ Universal Orlando Resort unveils the final lineup of unfathomable terrors for Halloween Horror Nights 2021, including an array of twisted original haunted houses, five scare zones and two live shows. Guests will brave this collection of haunts and more when the world’s premier Halloween event returns to Universal Studios Florida to celebrate 30 years of fear select nights September 3 through October 31. FIVE ADDITIONAL ORIGINAL HAUNTED HOUSES Nightmare-inducing original stories brimming with terrifying creatures will envelop guests within the five remaining haunted houses of the season, where visitors will: step into the notorious Halloween Horror Nights town of Carey and relive its most horrifying haunts over the past 30 years in “Welcome to SCarey: Horror in the Heartland” follow in the footsteps of a legendary paranormal detective on a ghostly mission in “Case Files Unearthed: Legendary Truth” become entangled in the sinister roots of Halloween in “The Wicked Growth: Realm of the Pumpkin” fall victim to a fiendish theatre troupe in “Puppet Theatre: Captive Audience” uncover the darker side of a seemingly innocent ritual in “Revenge of the Tooth Fairy” These original experiences will round out this year’s macabre lineup of 10 haunted houses for Halloween Horror Nights 2021, which also features Netflix’s “The Haunting of Hill House,” “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” “Beetlejuice,” “Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives” and “Halloween Horror Nights Icons: Captured.” FIVE INESCAPABLE SCARE ZONES Guests will not find refuge in the streets of Universal Studios Florida…a legion of horror icons, otherworldly beings and more await in five all-new scare zones. Hundreds of menacing “scareactors” will emerge to stalk guests’ every move as they: enter the monstrous universe of iconic horror stories from “Crypt TV” attempt to escape the frights of scare zones’ past in “30 Years, 30 Fears” resist succumbing to an alien cyber regime overtaking a future dystopia in “Seek and Destroy” flee the wrath of the Terra Queen and her rooted, evil plans in “Gorewood Forest” witness a box office “slash” in “Lights, Camera, Hacktion: Eddie’s Revenge” TWO OUTRAGEOUS LIVE SHOWS Two all-new, outrageously-entertaining shows will take center stage at Universal Studios Florida: Marathon of Mayhem: Carnage Factory, a brand-new nighttime lagoon show that will transform the expansive Universal Studios lagoon into renowned visions of fright highlighting some of the top names in horror and Halloween Horror Nights history that are featured in this year’s event. Halloween Nightmare Fuel, a fiery new show featuring nocturnal creatures, aerialists of the night and frightful fire performers – all set to pulse-pounding rock, metal and electronica music. THE ICONIC RETURN OF THE HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS TRIBUTE STORE Plus, Halloween Horror Nights wouldn’t be complete without the return of the event’s highly-anticipated Tribute Store in Universal Studios Florida – an immersive retail location designed to celebrate the world’s premier Halloween event featuring themed rooms decked with specialty merchandise, a variety of unique treats and more. Additional details about this year’s Tribute Store will be revealed soon. Below is the complete slate of experiences that await guests at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights 2021 this fall: HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS 2021 OVERVIEW Universal Orlando Resort marks 30 years of fear this fall with Halloween Horror Nights 2021, beginning Friday, September 3 and running select nights through Sunday, October 31. Guests will face 10 terrifying haunted houses, five sinister scare zones and two outrageous live shows based on everything from horror greats to haunting original stories – all created by the twisted visionaries of Universal’s Entertainment team. All tickets and vacation packages are on sale now – visit www.Orlando.HalloweenHorrorNights.com to purchase tickets. Due to popular demand, event nights are expected to sell out and tickets should be purchased in advance. 10 HAUNTED HOUSES Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House Netflix’s critically-acclaimed series “The Haunting of Hill House” will bring its ominous presence to Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood in all-new mazes, awakening the imposing and mysterious Hill House as it beckons guests to embark on the dark journey experienced by the Crain family. Iconic scenes from the Netflix series will be featured throughout the maze, including the omni-powerful Red Room – the heart of Hill House – and the infamous Hall of Statues, where deceptive powers overtake everyone who enters. Testing even the bravest guests, they’ll attempt to escape the entanglement of the estate’s eternal stranglehold or succumb to the powerful forces of Hill House – leaving them to wander the endless halls forever…alone. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was the first “ghost host” of Halloween Horror Nights – originally called ‘Fright Nights’ – during the event’s debut in 1991. As Halloween Horror Nights 2021 celebrates a milestone year, this former host will become the supernatural star of a bone-chilling haunted house based on Warner Bros. Pictures and Tim Burton’s Academy Award-winning horror-fantasy film. Guests will be at the whim of the self-described “Bio-Exorcist” as they shadow Beetlejuice’s every move through artfully recreated scenes from the popular film. From the infamous haunted attic within the Maitland home, to the model graveyard and Dante’s Inferno Room, guests will have the extraordinary chance to enter the movie surrounded by its most iconic characters. With brash defiance, Beetlejuice is ready to turn on the juice and see what shakes loose – and his plans don’t include returning to the land of the unliving. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Inspired by the 1974 iconic slasher film “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” the “Halloween Horror Nights” mazes at both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood will depict a disturbing and intense experience as guests try to outrun the maniacal Leatherface and his unrelenting chainsaw. Guests will embark on a killer journey through a series of familiar scenes from the film and eventually fall victim to a family of cannibals. From a dilapidated gas station to an eerie, old farmhouse, they will witness unimaginable horrors around every corner, soon discovering that nowhere is safe from the demented Leatherface. Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives At its core, Halloween Horror Nights is an extension of the horror film legacy originated by Universal Pictures, and the event continues to honor its blockbuster history with a haunted maze highlighting one of the studio’s most sinister creatures – The Bride of Frankenstein. “Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives” at both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood picks up where the 1935 classic film “The Bride of Frankenstein” left off, thrusting guests into chaos as the Bride becomes an unstoppable scientist and begins her mission to revive Frankenstein’s Monster. Her unwavering quest to find eternal life will come at a cost, and guests will soon find themselves entwined in a frenzied battle in their daring attempt to escape. Halloween Horror Nights Icons: Captured The most notorious Halloween Horror Nights icons in history are joining forces to inflict unimaginable terror upon guests in Halloween Horror Nights Icons: Captured. Guests will quickly realize they’re the hunted as they encounter a monstrous “Hell of Fame” where they’ll have no choice but to face the brutal cruelty and madness of this foreboding collection of Halloween Horror Nights legends, which include: The Caretaker, a once well-respected surgeon who has become eerily infatuated with the removal of internal organs – especially while his patients are conscious The Director, an aspiring filmmaker obsessed with capturing the suffering and torture of his victims on film – placing them in their very own living horror movie The Usher, who seeks to invoke violent vengeance on those who don’t follow the rules of his theater The Storyteller, who stops at nothing to entrap guests into her latest tales of terror, where no one lives happily ever after Jack the Clown – the original Halloween Horror Nights icon and the most feared of them all – and his assistant Chance, a deadly pair who thrive on tormenting victims in ways that embody their sick sense of humor Welcome to SCarey: Horror in the Heartland Some of the most haunting original stories from Halloween Horror Nights over the years have been set in the mysterious town of Carey – and this year, Welcome to SCarey: Horror in the Heartland will combine these stories and bring them to life once again in a first-ever haunted house that pays homage to the event’s 30-year history. Guests will be transported back to the shady township of Carey and enter familiar settings that will leave fans shrieking from nostalgia and horror. From the ghastly cave of vampires from The Hive, the decrepit attic of Dead End and the disturbing Meetz Meats human deli from Leave it to Cleaver, they’ll find no escape from the evil of Carey once and for all. Case Files Unearthed: Legendary Truth The world of Legendary Truth, an evolving story following a mysterious paranormal research group, has haunted guests via unique haunted houses throughout Halloween Horror Nights history. In Case Files Unearthed: Legendary Truth, guests will step into the well-worn shoes of the infamous Boris Shuster – the elusive private eye investigating the supernatural – as he endlessly searches for clues to a series of strange occurrences throughout New York City. Falling further into the shadowy, dark world of the paranormal, guests will face an overwhelming onslaught of ghouls, poltergeists and terrors, all while trying to solve the biggest mystery of them all – how they’ll survive… The Wicked Growth: Realm of the Pumpkin The beloved tradition of Halloween has more sinister roots waiting to be unearthed and as the grower of this ritual, the Pumpkin Lord is preparing for his yearly human harvest in Wicked Growth: Realm of the Pumpkin. Lured in by the familiar sights and sounds of the holiday, guests will find themselves trapped in an endless maze of traditional Halloween domains, including a dilapidated haunted house, an ominous graveyard and even a wicked witch’s cottage – all overrun by ruthless creatures engulfed in ghastly pumpkin growth. They’ll follow the ceaseless vines as they twist and turn right into the Pumpkin Lord’s lair, where he eagerly awaits new victims and is never truly satiated. Puppet Theatre: Captive Audience The demented side of puppetry and theatre will take center stage in Puppet Theatre: Captive Audience as guests are transported to San Francisco’s abandoned Grandeur Theatre in the early 1900’s. They’ll find the Pasek’s Puppet Troupe trapped within its ruins in the midst of rehearsing for their next grisly performance. With a fanatical need to entertain any captive audience, the troupe has turned to transforming trespassers into living puppets – dismantling and sewing them back together as life-sized marionettes for additions to their horrific encore. Will guests escape in one piece or will it be their final curtain call? No matter what, the show must go on… Revenge of the Tooth Fairy Revenge of the Tooth Fairy will entice guests to uncover the darker ritual behind an innocent childhood tradition. Long ago, parents struck a bargain with vicious, goblin-esque tooth fairies to protect their children from these evil creatures who crave pearly whites – all children must give up their baby teeth or pay a gruesome price. Guests will step into a heinous realm of blood, teeth and gore where these fairies extract their toothed bounty by force and the only way out is to hold in their screams and keep their mouths shut. FIVE SCARE ZONES Crypt TV Guests will step inside Crypt TV, a dark universe of monsters that reside in the same reality on their screens, in their pockets and now, in real life. In this nightmare world that’s overtaken San Francisco, creatures of all shapes and sizes exist, including The Look-See, the Sunny Family Cult, Harclaw and Miss Annity. Now, they’ve been brought to life in a world of fear that will engulf any guest who enters. 30 Years, 30 Fears The most infamous characters from past Halloween Horror Nights scare zones will reunite to take over the Avenue of the Stars in 30 Years, 30 Fears. Guests will enter a gory reunion where the past has come back to haunt them with creatures of blood and bone, beastly monstrosities and chainsaw-wielding fiends lurking around every corner. Seek and Destroy In Seek and Destroy, guests will find themselves in a New York dystopia where a ruthless alien cyber regime, led by The Controller, has taken over – relentlessly scanning the city streets for humans and turning them into fuel. With the regime’s loyal followers hiding in the darkness endlessly hunting for new victims, guests must either join them or be destroyed. Gorewood Forest The heartless Terra Queen is back and her wicked plans to remake the world in her terrifying image will take root in Central Park, transforming it into the grisly Gorewood Forest. Guests will find nowhere to hide from her menacing minions as they harvest fresh blood to feed her ever-growing power. Lights, Camera, Hacktion: Eddie’s Revenge Eddie Schmidt, Jack the Clown’s diabolical brother, is returning to Halloween Horror Nights to film a gory Hollywood sequel in Lights, Camera, Hacktion: Eddie’s Revenge – except this time, the monsters are real. Vampires, evil clowns, creatures from the watery depths and other horrific beings from event’s past will roar on the scene where guests will make their short, and painful, cameo. TWO LIVE SHOWS Marathon of Mayhem: Carnage Factory An all-new Universal Studios lagoon show will make its horrifically hypnotic premiere at Halloween Horror Nights in Marathon of Mayhem: Carnage Factory. Jack the Clown will lure guests into a trance, and they’ll awaken in the heart of an insidious factory with pulsing lasers and pounding, electrifying music. Frozen with fear, a nightmare machine will extract guests’ deepest fears one-by-one and project them onto giant water screens, showcasing the notorious Halloween Horror Nights icons and frightening scenes from Netflix’s critically-acclaimed series “The Haunting of Hill House,” the legendary Universal Monsters classic movies and the iconic slasher film, “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” Halloween Nightmare Fuel A fearsome and unforgettable performance will ignite guests’ waking nightmares in the all-new show, Halloween Nightmare Fuel – where nocturnal creatures, aerialists of the night and frightful fire performers will come alive to the crackling beat of rock, metal, and electronica music. Universal has also released a behind-the-scenes look at the Revenge of the Tooth Fairy house that will be a part of this year's event. https://blog.universalorlando.com/behind-the-scenes/revenge-of-the-tooth-fairy-at-halloween-horror-nights-2021/ Sometimes the most disturbing and troubling horror stories are those that revolve around children’s folklore. (Although arguably some of the great classic folk stories are rooted in darkness with vile creatures and tragic endings.) But there is something rather unsettling when one such story that is meant to invoke comfort and excitement upon losing a piece of your childhood takes a turn for the worse. Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) at Universal Orlando Resort is known for taking beloved folklore and applying its own demented twist to the storyline. This year the mythology of the Tooth Fairy is being explored with an original HHN tale cloaked in vengeance. You’re invited to step inside the Westhorne house and find out what happens when you defy tradition. Tradition that turns out to be a centuries-old pact between mortals and sprite-ish monsters who demand the teeth of babes in exchange for payment in the form of treats or money. Enjoy this enthralling tale and let it be a cautionary warning for what awaits you in this haunted house. One night a Tooth Fairy appeared in the bedroom of young James Westhorne, who recently lost his first tooth. But when the fairy neared the bed James jumped up and shouted, “No this is my tooth and it belongs to me! You can’t have it!” “You mustn’t upset the Faerie Folk, Master James,” pleaded the child’s Nanny. “The Faerie Folk aren’t kind, nor forgiving.” But spoiled James just shook his head, “So what if they are. They can’t have it and nothing will change my mind.” “But they’ll hurt us and take you away. You’ll be doomed to live forever as a cursed monster.” “I don’t care, and I don’t believe you. I don’t believe in fairies!” And, as if to settle the argument on the bed, the fairy took the Nanny’s teeth instead. Then the creature pulled James away to make him truly, dearly pay. Next the fairies ventured down the hall and killed the servants one and all. James would scream and cry and kick and then begin to look rather sick. The fairies then visited Mother and Father and gave them a lesson to learn. And James had to look, had to see, had to hear, what trouble he had earned. Lord and Lady Westhorne were set upon next, their evening tea still warm. Papa and Grammy — oh no! — are being ravaged by this harm. O’Neil the butler was chosen to prove the point that children mustn’t forget. Though James now was changing, shifting you see, his fate was more than set. And Cook was stripped of all her teeth, a sweet treat you may bet. The fairies are fighting to rip them out in one completed set. Sheets turned red by Westhorne blood was all little James’s fault. He cried and yet he did not want the pain to stop, cease, or hold. The maids were shown next what happens when you don’t pay the proper respect. You learn the lesson every parent must know — every child owes a debt. You pay their price, you don’t say no, or someday soon you’ll see. Just ask James, or what’s left of him, in the fairy jubilee. Learn from James. The lesson here is plain to grasp. The teeth you must provide, for there is no escape, no reprieve, no place to RUN OR HIDE!

A few weeks ago I had the chance to experience Discovery Cove for the first time as a full-day guest. I had visited Discovery Cove previous for the media previews of The Grand Reef and Freshwater Oasis but both of those times were only a few hours, not the full experience. My wife decided that for her birthday Discovery Cove is what she wanted to do to celebrate so we booked our experience, Dolphin Swim included! Discovery Cove is designed like a day-resort or cruise on land, with the majority of the offerings included in your admission, though upcharge/upgrade options are available. Food is available throughout the park with two fast-casual meals (breakfast and lunch) available along with snacks at kiosks and bars. Beverages including basic beer and wine are included, though there is a premium drink package available for purchase. Daybeds and cabanas can be reserved for an extra cost. The Dolphin Swim is the park's main attraction and is factored into the price of most base admission offers, but if that doesn't appeal, you can purchase Day Resort admission to enjoy the rest of the park's amenities without participating in that experience. Additional experiences can be added to your package as an upgrade including the Seaventure underwater walking tour, a private Animal Trek guided tour, swimming with sharks, stingray feedings and more. You enter the park through a gorgeous air conditioned that sets the tone for your experience... You queue up to get to a check-in station to confirm your itinerary for the day including your Dolphin Swim time. This is also your opportunity to add any additional experiences to your day if you didn't prebook. I strongly recommend getting to the park before opening to avoid having the wait taking time away from your day in the park. You get a lanyard and ID card which you keep with you at all times. This will also feature the times of any of your reserved experiences and the location you go to check in for them. Upon exiting the park entrance building, you're greeted with this beautiful sight. The layered beauty of the park is something to admire. It isn't a SeaWorld park without animal encounters... And these two parrots are among the first we had during our day at Discovery Cove. First stop: breakfast at Laguna Grill! Here are your options to choose from... Pretty standard breakfast fare but a good way to load up before an active day outside. Bars throughout the park are where you can pick up drinks and snacks. The bottled beers and several wines are included in park admission. The beers on tap, liquors in the back and mixed and frozen drinks are available to purchase a la carte or to get as a part of the premium drink package. A look at the Premium Drink Package and a la carte premium drink options. I will say, this was something I was most eager to revisit from my prior trips to Discovery Cove... Unlimited Lemon Slushies! They've since added new flavor options but lemonade was the only way to go for me. Explorer's Aviary is one of the included areas/experiences of the park... Inside you can find these Bird Identification Cards if you'd like to know what you're seeing... I've since identified that this is a bird... 100% can confirm. Bird feed is included at no extra cost during your visit to Explorer's Aviary. I made some friends as a result. That's one big bird! You can enter Wind-Away River, the park's unique take on a lazy river from within Explorer's Aviary. Wind-Away River is all kinds of picturesque. There are no tubes to float on in here, so you can enjoy a complementary life vest and a pool noodle while you're inside. Life vests are required while in the Wind-Away River. There's even a cave you float through. Very beautifully designed. This is not a traditional lazy river in that the depth of the path changes significantly and suddenly along its course. At times you'll be wading through the water and at others you'll be up to your neck floating with the trough beneath bottoming out 8 feet below. There are several entrances/exits to the Wind-Away River. Wind-Away River runs through Explorer's Aviary, so you get some interesting vantage points of the park's flying residents. Quite pretty. Wind-Away River gets two thumbs up from me! Back at Laguna Grill it was time for lunch... We sampled a few of the options they had to offer. After lunch it was time for some snorkeling in The Grand Reef, the park's saltwater reef. You get to swim up close to a number of rays, fish and even (behind well-designed barriers) sharks. The Seaventure experience in The Grand Reef is an upgrade option that allows you to walk underwater, almost like a helmet/snuba dive combo. The helmets give you full head mobility and no regulator is needed. The helmets are weighed down to help you stay on the floor and are tethered to a floating source of oxygen above. Up close and personal... Some giant rays swim past you and you're totally ok to touch them as they glide past. Baby shark... Daddy shark... The barrier between the sharks and guests in The Grand Reef is pretty subtle. You get very close... They have skates here too! So cool! I really do love The Grand Reef! The Freshwater Oasis is where you can see marmosets and otters in neat wading environment. We didn't see any animals in The Freshwater Oasis during our visit but the environment is still fun to explore. And of course, the Dolphin Swim was an amazing experience. It lasted about an hour and we had the chance to learn about these amazing creatures, observe their behaviors and take some photos with them. Plus you get the chance to glide along with them in the water. We had a great time during our visit to Discovery Cove and I definitely think we'll go back for the Day Resort experience in the near future!

Cedar Fair has revealed their plans for the 2022 operating season for their parks, including a updated area (with a new coaster) at Kings Dominion, a 50th anniversary celebration at Kings Island and more offerings at their parks across North America. https://ir.cedarfair.com/news/news-details/2021/Cedar-Fair-Unveils-Exciting-Plans-for-2022-Operating-Season-Including-Upgraded-Safari-Village-Area-at-Kings-Dominion-50th-Anniversary-Celebration-at-Kings-Island-Fun-Filled-Seasonal-Events-and-Upgraded-Lodging-and-Dining-Venues/default.aspx Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: FUN), a leader in regional amusement parks, water parks and immersive entertainment, today announced exciting plans for the 2022 operating season across all of its properties in the U.S. and Canada. These include a new themed area at Kings Dominion in Virginia, the reopening of two newly refurbished resort properties at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, and the 50th anniversary celebration at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio. In addition, Cedar Fair plans to introduce several new and upgraded dining venues and to expand its popular festival and event calendars to include something for everyone in the family throughout the year. “We’re in the business of making people happy, and we are actively investing in our parks to help us deliver the type of fun, immersive experiences that our guests crave and our associates love to provide,” said Cedar Fair President and CEO Richard A. Zimmerman. “Based on positive recent trends and our renewed confidence in the recovery of the business, we now plan to invest between $175-$200 million for the 2022 season to improve the guest experience at our parks. These investments include ongoing renovations at the Castaway Bay and Sawmill Creek resort properties at Cedar Point, as well as the addition of new rides, attractions and guest amenities across our parks in the U.S. and Canada.” Zimmerman said consumer research continues to reinforce the significance of food and beverage (F&B) and the high-quality menu options Cedar Fair parks offer as essential components of delivering a memorable park experience. As such, the company is investing aggressively for the 2022 season as part of the next phase of significant development in its F&B lineup. Under this plan, Cedar Fair is upgrading and expanding F&B facilities across its portfolio, with new chef-inspired restaurants opening at several parks. The focus is on providing signature menu and beverage items that tap into consumers’ interest for unique flavors and experiences they can’t find anywhere else. In 2021, Cedar Fair has added approximately 20 chefs to its park teams to accommodate the continued growth in its culinary program. In addition, these capital investments will improve the capabilities, technologies and efficiencies of the parks’ food preparation and delivery systems. Among the highlights of Cedar Fair's capital program for the 2022 operating season: Kings Dominion is renaming and upgrading the Safari Village area of the park and introducing a new roller coaster in 2022. The new area, Jungle X-Pedition, is set to an exotic archeological dig site and research facility, where explorers can visit the base camp for a bite to eat at a new signature restaurant and shop at an immersive retail location. Around the corner, guests can climb aboard Tumbili, a thrilling roller coaster that suspends riders on either side of the track as the cars flip continuously throughout the ride. Kings Island will celebrate 50 years of fun, memories and traditions. Guests will join the park in commemorating the landmark anniversary with limited time events, enhanced food offerings and all-new live entertainment – each telling the stories of Kings Island’s first 50 years and sure to delight all ages and create lasting memories. The park will announce more anniversary details in the coming months. Cedar Point’s full lineup of entertainment returns in 2022 with the popular Frontier Festival at the start of the season, Cedar Point Nights and the Celebrate Spectacular Parade during the heat of the summer and HalloWeekends in the fall. In addition, the park’s Frontier Town will introduce a new chef-inspired signature restaurant that is sure to delight guests throughout the season. On the resort front, the re-imagined Castaway Bay Indoor Waterpark hotel will welcome back families with all-new guest rooms, enhanced amenities, kid-friendly activities and a new take on dining, all intertwined with a whimsical theme that connects sea, land and air. Sawmill Creek by Cedar Point Resorts, located just a short drive from Cedar Point, will be reintroduced as a natural escape ideal for a retreat from the ordinary. The resort will showcase a full renovation of guest rooms, eclectic dining options, golf course upgrades, outdoor amenities and an enhanced convention and meeting space experience. Castaway Bay and Sawmill Creek are scheduled to debut before the 2022 summer season. Canada’s Wonderland will have four seasons of world-class experiences, events and entertainment for guests of all ages, including a new International Food Festival featuring a diverse menu of culinary tastes, treats and drinks from around the world. In addition, the park will be expanding its culinary offerings in 2022 with the introduction of a multi-level, rustic lodge-restaurant that will be the park’s largest dining facility to date. Knott’s Berry Farm’s full Seasons of Fun lineup will return in 2022, kicking off with the return of the Peanut’s Celebration, an extended Boysenberry Festival in the spring, the return of Knott’s award-winning summer experience, Ghost Town Alive!, and the festive Knott’s Spooky and Merry Farm closing out the year. The Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel will also undergo a major renovation to its 300+ room onsite resort. Cedar Fair continues to invest millions of dollars into its two Schlitterbahn Waterpark properties in New Braunfels and Galveston, Texas. The enhancements for the 2022 season will focus on infrastructure and aesthetics throughout the park, including upgraded food locations and attractions. The planned projects will continue to improve the overall guest experience, while maintaining the unique character and iconic Schlitterbahn tradition that guests have treasured for more than 40 years. In addition, other Cedar Fair parks will offer a full lineup of seasonal events. The wildly popular Grand Carnivale celebration will return to a half-dozen parks next summer, including Carowinds, Dorney Park, Valleyfair and Worlds of Fun. In the fall, parks will offer Halloween-themed special events that are sure to delight adults and kids alike. Six parks will host Tricks & Treats events, with two others hosting Family Halloween. And as the weather turns colder, WinterFest will return to Carowinds, California’s Great America, Kings Dominion, Canada’s Wonderland and Kings Island. This immersive holiday experience is filled with millions of lights, enchanting themes areas, ice-skating, live holiday entertainment, sweet and savory treats, and a variety of additional activities for the entire family. “Each season we introduce a full slate of new rides and attractions, limited-time special events, and upgraded food and beverage programs,” Zimmerman said. “As we’ve seen across all our parks this summer, consumers are hungry for more, and with season passes now on sale for 2022, we are ready to satisfy their growing appetites for entertainment and family fun.” For more information about 2022 season passes, please visit www.cedarfair.com and click on your favorite park property.

Miral and SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment have announced that SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will feature the world's largest aquarium. The construction of the first international SeaWorld park is currently 64% complete! SeaWorld Abu Dhabi on Yas Island Set to Feature the World’s Largest Aquarium https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/seaworld-abu-dhabi-on-yas-island-set-to-feature-the-worlds-largest-aquarium-301353556.html The aquarium at the marine life theme park will be home to 68,000 marine animals including, sharks, schools of fish, manta rays and sea turtles Construction of the mega-development is 64% complete SeaWorld Abu Dhabi joins SeaWorld’s 55-year commitment to supporting marine rescue, research, education and conservation Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue Center to become first of its kind in UAE Miral, Abu Dhabi's leading curator of magnetic experiences, in partnership with SeaWorld® Parks & Entertainment, announced today significant progress on the construction of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, the next generation of marine life theme parks and Yas Island's latest mega-development. The marine-life park, which is set to feature the world's largest and most expansive marine aquarium and the new Yas SeaWorld® Research and Rescue Center, is currently 64% complete. On track for completion in 2022, recent major construction milestones include the completion of the primary steel erection and near finalisation of the envelope enclosure of the marine-life park. Additionally, the structure's façade is currently in progress, as well as over 70% of the acrylic panels installed across the park. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, once complete, is set to be home to the world's largest and most expansive marine-life aquarium, containing 25 million litres of water and housing more than 68,000 marine animals, including sharks, schools of fish, manta rays and sea turtles. A main focal view of the aquarium will present visitors with the "Endless Vista", an impressive 20m tall vertical window across multiple levels revealing stunning aquatic scenes. Building off SeaWorld's extensive research and rescue expertise, the Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue Center will act as an advanced knowledge hub focusing on indigenous Gulf and marine life ecosystems. The facility will be located adjacent to the aquarium and theme park, and will be the first dedicated marine research, rescue, rehabilitation and return center in the UAE. It will integrate with SeaWorld's ongoing efforts related to research, rescue, conservation, and education. Accessible to visitors by reservation, the Research and Rescue Center will also demonstrate the work from resident scientists and researchers, enriching guests' knowledge of aquatic animals, and offering tailored educational learning programs for both local and international schools and touring groups. Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral said: "We are delighted to be partnering with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment in developing this next generation marine life park, that is set to feature the world's largest marine aquarium and the UAE's first dedicated research center to study and care for animals. This is another major addition to Yas Island's existing immersive experiences and attractions, and a testament to achieving our vision of positioning the island as a top global tourism destination for residents and visitors alike." Visitors to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will have the opportunity to interact with one of the most diverse populations of animals featured in any marine-life park, globally. The "Endless Ocean" themed aquarium encapsulates the expanse and scale of the marine display for guests and is one element featured within a unified "One Ocean" experience, interlinking six distinct realms throughout the marine-life park. The "One Ocean" narrative will augment the park's ability to simulate the natural habitats of different species, living harmoniously as they would in the wild. Guests will be encouraged to explore these natural underwater environments via immersive storytelling techniques and the latest cutting-edge technologies, further deepening an appreciation and understanding of ocean life. Marc Swanson, CEO of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, said: "We are honored to partner with Miral to bring SeaWorld's unforgettable guest experiences and our important mission to Yas Island and the region. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi joins our North American parks in our mission and commitment to conservation efforts worldwide. We have hundreds of professionals focused on animal care, rescue and rehabilitation, conservation education, habitat protection, and species research and we are excited to see the Yas SeaWorld® Research and Rescue Center further expand SeaWorld's positive global impact with the vitally important marine life conservation efforts in the region." Spanning the floor area of 183,000 square meters (m2), across five indoor levels, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi's design leverages SeaWorld's more than 55 years of experience in marine research, conservation, and animal welfare. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi further supports Miral's vision to position Yas Island as one of the top global tourist destinations. Its unique portfolio of attractions and experiences on the island includes many world firsts and record-breaking attractions; Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and CLYMB Abu Dhabi. Miral and SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment are both committed to exploring long-term sustainability goals for the mega-development with further details to be announced in due course.* *Notes to Editors: Estidama, Pearl 2 Rating: SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will have a Pearl 2 rating as recognized under Estidama – a UAE owned building design methodology and framework for measuring sustainability performance. The program is a key aspect of the "Abu Dhabi Vision 2030" drive to build the Abu Dhabi emirate according to innovative green standards. The Pearl Building Rating system was established in 2010 and is mandatory in Abu Dhabi, with all buildings requiring a status certification of Pearl 1 Rating and all government-funded buildings must achieve a minimum of Pearl 2 Rating. Tabreed District Cooling Appointment: The National Central Cooling Company PJSC (DFM: Tabreed), the UAE's National Central Cooling Company, has been appointed to provide district cooling services to ensure the park will benefit from a reliable and energy-efficient source of cooling. A cooling capacity of 7,500 refrigeration tons will be delivered with a total concession capacity of 15,000 refrigeration tons (RT). As part of the agreement, Tabreed will build a newly dedicated plant by 2022 at the SeaWorld Abu Dhabi site, with the development benefiting from a reliable, technologically advanced and sustainable source of cooling interconnected to the Yas Island centralised cooling scheme operated by Tabreed.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg has released a ton of new details for this year's Howl-O-Scream! https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/events/howl-o-scream/haunted-attractions/ HAUNTED HOUSES WITCH OF THE WOODS Legend tells of the old Witch of the Woods, who descended upon the ancient village and wreaked havoc. Nobody alive has seen her, but if you’re brave enough to travel the woods at night, it’s said that you can hear her chanting and crying out to the skies. Those who give in to her control become her disciples, and those who don’t…inevitably meet the same fate. But this is only a story, right? KILLARNEY DINER What say, Daddy-O? Word around town is that something landed in the forest right behind our favorite sock hop. Will you make it through your meal before becoming the flavor of tomorrow’s blue plate special? NEVERMORE An unearthly plague ravages the land. You cry out for help, and the nobility turns a deaf ear. You perish in the streets, and the nobility turns a blind eye. You are reborn, and the nobility is silent forevermore. Welcome to the gothic nightmare of Prospero, last heir to the House of Usher – inspired by the works of Edgar Allan Poe. DYSTOPIA Will you submit to the new dystopian world order? You may not have a choice. https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/events/howl-o-scream/haunted-attractions/dystopia/ In the wastelands, help is given to those who seek out the new utopia. The final bastion of hope lies with the new society who has scavenged together the last remnants of technology and power. Not all who seek shall find, but all who find shall join… or perish. The entrance to Dystopia is located at the Escape from Pompeii queue, just past Italy and before Sesame Street® Forest of Fun™. Special effects include strobe lighting and fog machines. CIRCO SINISTRO What lies within the mysterious billowing tents of Circo Sinistro? Find out if you dare. No one knows when or where the tents will rise, but all who see them are drawn to find out what lies inside. This haunted house is not of this world and not of this time. Beware! What you see, you soon will be. The entrance to Circo Sinistro is located in the terror-tory Sideshow Square, just past The Trade Wind in Festa Italia. Special effects include black and strobe lighting and fog machines. TERROR-TORIES HEXED HOLLOW This village, and all who travel through it, are cursed by an ancient magic. Dark magics flow freely in the Hollow, and nothing is ever going to be the same. Hexed Hollow is located in Rhinefeld Village. MEAT MARKET Fresh meat! The denizens of this devious dwelling are serving up delectable delicatessen and gorging on human hors d’oeuvres. Meat Market is located in New France Village. GARDEN OF THE SOULS A ghastly transformation has taken place in the Gardens, where the graves of the deceased carry a dark secret, and grieving spirits wander freely. The Garden of the Souls is located in Italy. RIPPER ROW Don’t wander the streets of Whitechapel after dark – you never know who you might run in to. Murder, mayhem and mistaken identities abound in the back alleys of this English town. Ripper Row® is located in England. https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/shows/halloween/ HALLOWEEN SHOWS Don't miss our four spirited productions that are said to be "worth dying for." Guests can enjoy showtimes throughout the day in indoor theatres and in Ireland village. PHANTOMS OF THE FESTHAUS This isn’t your typical singing contest. Join the living audience as your favorite ghouls take on spooky hits, and the winner is put to vote. The more spirited the audience is, the more exciting the competition is. SKELETONES These lively musicians and singers leaves nothing but bones on Il Teatro di San Marco located in San Marco Italy. Take a break from the scares with this spooky ensemble. JACK IS BACK The popular disco dance celebration returns to Ireland village with pumpkins, scarecrows & Howl-O-Scream’s leading character, Jack. MONSTER STOMP ON RIPPER ROW This modern rock and rhythm spectacular features Jack the Ripper like you’ve never seen him before. Electrifying percussion, dynamic dance and sensational singing return to Globe Theatre stage in a pulse-pounding revue. Monster Stomp on Ripper Row opens Oct 1.

It has been announced that America's First Slidewheel open at Mt. Olympus in the Summer of 2022! https://www.mtolympuspark.com/specials/americas-first-coming-in-2022/ AMERICA’S FIRST SLIDEWHEEL The time has finally come! America’s first rotating water slide is coming to Mt. Olympus Summer of 2022! The rotating water slide ‘Slidewheel’ will be a whole new element of indoor water park excitement above all else for guests to experience year round! This new attraction combines the movement of a Ferris wheel and the speed and thrill of a water slide. The intricate tangle of tubes on a horizontal axis allows the entire ride to rotate while guests whip through it! The Slidewheel offers all the best aspects of a classic water slide, like speed, g-forces, and even the occasional bit of air time, but its rotation brings so much more to the table. Thanks to the pendulum movement, rotation and back-and-forth motions, the slide experience is like none other ever before!

After some thrilling rides on Lightning Racer we moved to finish the last few rides in the park on our list, to leave time to explore Chocolatetown on our way out. First up was Laff Trakk. Laff Trakk manages to take a pretty standard coaster and give it some fun dark ride elements. Not the first Laffing Sal we saw on this trip! The ride isn't super efficient when it comes to loading, but Fast Lane helped us to get through pretty quickly. I do think the station theming is cute. Proper representation found! Wildcat is pretty rough at this point... If ever there were a candidate at Hersheypark for an RMC conversion, this would be it. It is a shame that Hersheypark is a Pepsi park. Seriously great to see Fahrenheit running. Glad we got the chance to ride during this visit! Socially distanced character meet and greets were still happening outside in the park. Reese's Cupfusion was under construction during my last visit, so I was eager to try this one out this time around. The last time I rode this, the attraction was still the super bizarre Reese's Xtreme Cup Challenge. Cupfusion is a serious upgrade from what came before, with a cute story, a far better digital target system (with targets integrated into physical sets as well as digital screens) and an overall more fun experience across the board. There are some really clever uses of the ride space and the vehicles' ability to pause, rotate and change their speeds across the ride path. I just barely made it onto the leaderboard for the day with 20th place! Reese's Cupfusion gets two thumbs up from me! Pour one out for the loss of my favorite treat stand, Makin' Whoopie, which was replaced with the less colorfully named, Cookies & Donuts. Hyperdeck is an upcharge VR attraction in the Chocolatetown section of the park. Unlike what The Void used to offer, it looks like your experience in Hyperdeck is a more stationary one. Looking back at Candymonium... For the love of Larry. Again, a fun (albeit standard) B&M hyper coaster. Maybe it is exactly what the park needed. Another look at the signature "Kisses Fountain." I really like the look and feel of the Chocolatetown section of the park... The only thing I don't understand is the decision to put the shops and upcharge attractions like Hyperdeck INSIDE of the park instead of in front of it. Chocolatetown feels like Hersheypark's take on Downtown Disney, but for some reason, you can only access the majority of it during park hours with park admission. I feel like this would have been more successful being accessible without a park ticket and not being bound by park hours. Exiting the park through the new Chocolatetown shop, Hersheypark Supply Co, there is finally a large, main store for Hersheypark. Inside you'll also find The Sweeterie, home to lots of delicious chocolate and baked goods. Lots of options to choose from... And I mean lots. So simple yet so enticing. "Wowza" is all I'm going to say. Flavors for every palate. Next to The Sweeterie is Milton's Ice Cream Parlor. Lots of fun flavors to choose from... And lots of Hershey's candies to top off your ice cream! I had to go with the Candymonium (Twizzler-flavored) and Toasted Marshmallow options (topped with Twizzler Bites). Milton's also has more savory fare. The food actually looked really good! We couldn't resist. Hersheypark Supply Co features a few fun pieces of Hershey history on display. So much merchandise! Hersheypark Supply Co is a much needed addition for Hersheypark! We tried again to get into The Chocolatier restaurant and were once again told they were booked out, understaffed and the bar was full. But the place does look cool. Clever design elements for sure. I do like the lighting fixtures meant to represent the layout of three of Hersheypark's coasters. A cool fixture at the entrance/exit of Hersheypark Supply Co. I couldn't leave without stopping at Chocolatetown Treats. This does look pretty picturesque. Yes you will! Catching up on our ride photos from our visit, we were able to download all of our photos thanks to the photo package we purchased. My side lost. My love for Great Bear is real. Absolutely wild. Hanging on purely by the pressure placed on my thighs. Still quite fun! As was Stormrunner! Before leaving the town of Hershey, PA, we stopped at Troegs Independent Brewing for some beers and bites. I tried quite a few of their options! Togorashi Avocado was our first starter. Beer cheese mega pretzel? Yes please! Their braised duck was absolutely killer! Can't go wrong with brisket! The Spring Onion Tart was a surprise and a delicious one at that! After flying home from Philadelphia that night, I woke up the next morning to enjoy one last taste of Hersheypark...

A new house, scare zone and themed bar experience have been announced for Howl-O-Scream Orlando! https://seaworld.com/orlando/events/howl-o-scream/haunted-houses/captains-revenge/ CAPTAIN'S REVENGE A tempting and terrifying force has possessed those who once labored aboard this vessel. Against every warning, you descend into its dank underbelly in search of the captain who swore revenge on you. What grisly horror lurks around the next dimly lit corner? Creaks and groans fill the musty air. You’re surrounded by what remains of the ill-fated crew. It’s time to find a way out…before they find permanent quarters for you. SEA OF SOULS This is it…the site of that horrific shipwreck. Those marauding pirates were too arrogant to see their downfall coming, and now they’re doomed to wander through a sea of gruesome reminders. Their souls are restless, and their anger is real. They’ll never stop seeking revenge on those who’ve escaped their ghostly fate. Steer clear—if you can. LONGSHOREMEN TAVERN When pirates pull into port, this be the tavern where they warm their bellies with rum. Take a break from the monsters and squalls, plant your weary hides, and join the merriment. In here, you might discover that an old SeaWorld treasure has been (partially) resurrected. They’re the Longshoremen, and they’ve been dying to entertain you again.

The Universal Orlando Resort has announced the newest house in the Halloween Horror Nights 2021 lineup, Halloween Horror Nights Icons: Captured! https://media.universalorlando.com/press-releases/hhn-icons-captured/ The most notorious Halloween Horror Nights icons in Universal Orlando history will join forces to inflict unimaginable terror upon guests in the all-original haunted house – Halloween Horror Nights Icons: Captured. The sinister new experience will thrust guests into a monstrous “Hell of Fame” where they’ll face The Caretaker, The Director, The Usher, The Storyteller, Jack the Clown, Chance and more as part of Halloween Horror Nights 2021, celebrating 30 years of fear select nights from September 3 through October 31. Developed as part of the Universal Entertainment team’s twisted vision to create a slate of disturbing, original characters that rival any horror villain on the big screen, the Halloween Horror Nights icons are relentless in the pursuit of their latest victims and include: The Caretaker, a once well-respected surgeon who has become eerily infatuated with the removal of internal organs – especially while his patients are conscious The Director, an aspiring filmmaker obsessed with capturing the suffering and torture of his victims on film – placing them in their very own living horror movie The Usher, who seeks to invoke violent vengeance on those who don’t follow the rules of his theater The Storyteller, who stops at nothing to entrap guests into her latest tales of terror, where no one lives happily ever after Jack the Clown – the original Halloween Horror Nights icon and the most feared of them all – and his assistant Chance, a deadly pair who thrive on tormenting victims in ways that embody their sick sense of humor This fall, the brutal cruelty and madness of this collection of foreboding figures will be unleashed in Halloween Horror Nights Icons: Captured. Guests will quickly realize they’re the hunted as they desperately try to escape the grasp of each character within its ominous domain. From The Storyteller’s infamous bed of razor-sharp nails to the cadaver-filled mortuary run by The Caretaker, harrowing horrors will await guests at every turn – giving them no choice but to face the most horrifying legends in Halloween Horror Nights history. Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights begins Friday, September 3 and runs select nights through Sunday, October 31 – featuring 10 elaborately-themed haunted houses, five scare zones and live entertainment based on everything from horror and pop culture greats to original abominations that go beyond guests’ darkest nightmares. And when they need a break from the screams, guests can enjoy access to Universal Studios’ most exhilarating rides and attractions. All tickets and vacation packages for Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights are on sale now, including a variety of Fear Passes that allow guests to visit the event on multiple nights starting at $129.99, and discounted tickets for Annual Passholders. Tickets and packages can be purchased here. Tickets are also on sale for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood, running select nights Thursday, September 9 through Sunday, October 31. Due to popular demand, event nights are expected to sell out and tickets should be purchased in advance. Additional details about this year’s event will be revealed soon. For more information, visit www.Orlando.HalloweenHorrorNights.com.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has announced two more houses that will be found at this year's Howl-O-Scream! https://buschgardens.com/tampa/events/howl-o-scream/haunted-houses/cell-block-zombies/ NEW CELL BLOCK ZOMBIES Welcome to Purgatory Penitentiary, where afterlife sentences are served with a vengeance. Incarceration is just the beginning, as maniacal guards shuffle fresh meat down dark and lawless paths for processing. Surviving the prison yard leads to maximum security and confinement that is anything but solitary. There are only two options for inmates here: breakout alive or be devoured in detention. https://buschgardens.com/tampa/events/howl-o-scream/haunted-houses/death-water-bayou/ NEW TERRORS WILL STALK THE SWAMP THIS SEASON – CAN YOU OUTRUN THE PACK? The voodoo chants have died off, replaced by blood-curdling howls…and your screams. Dark magic has manifested into darker curses, as ravenous werewolves claw their way through the bayou on the hunt for human flesh. Beneath the midnight sky, the moonlight reveals glowing eyes, bloodstained teeth and an inescapable fate for all who enter the swamp.

I feel like there’s probably a way to do it, but for the house to be a decent length, I’d imagine they’d have to build a little more of it outside of the building. The ride path was significantly shorter than DarKastle’s and the structure is still in use for the animal experience and the queue, which Williamsburg has the luxury of using DarKastle in full. There’s a lot less real estate facility that could be used which is why I’m not positive it’ll end up becoming a house… Though that’s not to say it couldn’t become a themed bar.

I actually think Beneath the Ice is more likely to be in Wild Arctic in the queue leading up to where the ride loads. I’m still curious to see if they find a use for the Antarctica ride path, but I think they have to be a little more careful since that space has unique temperature conditions and it dumps out into an open-air animal area.

After our time at Kennywood we hit the road to have an early evening in Hershey, PA. We used this time as a chance to experience Hershey's Chocolate World and to grab some food and drinks along the way. The next morning, we woke up and started our day at Hersheypark--with a flight out of Philly later that night, we had a limited amount of time to accomplish as much as possible before leaving the park to drive to Philadelphia. For this reason we added Fast Track to our visit and it definitely made a difference for certain attractions. Driving into Hershey, this is always a welcoming sight. As is this. It isn't a visit to Hershey, PA without a stop at Hershey's Chocolate World. The main attraction... Your hosts for the experience. Singing cows (and now a singing pig and chicken) greet you at the start of the ride. Cupcake is a newer addition to the farm, I believe. Time to get broiled! Some of the ride's effects are really impressive. "Taste the love." Just remember these icons when you eat their respective candies... Just think about them. IMAGINATION! After our time at Hershey's Chocolate World we tried to see if we could grab a spot at The Chocolatier restaurant in Hershey's new Chocolatetown area. Unfortunately the restaurant was fully booked and the bar had no seats available. We ended up grabbing a bite and a beer at Iron Hill Brewery, which was a solid choice. After dinner we weren't quite done for the night, so we ventured over the Hotel Hershey for drinks and dessert at the Iberian Lounge... A really solid selection of drinks and some nice food options to choose from... The Chocolatier isn't the only place on property where you can get a chocolate martini... And this one was SO GOOD. We couldn't resist the prospect of trying the Hershey's Cocoa Barbecue wings... The chocolate flavor was subtle but unique. Plus the serving size was really generous for a lounge! We couldn't leave without trying the Strawberry Cheesecake and Italian Rainbow Slice Cake, both of which were exceptional! The next morning while waiting for the park to open, we hopped back into Hershey's Chocolate World... There's edible cookie dough inside for those interested in partaking. They had Jolly Rancher cupcakes, each color a different flavor. If it wasn't so early in the morning, I would've tried one. You can bet I brought some home with me. I absolutely brought these Key Lime Pie KitKat bars home with me too. Always a pleasant surprise at Hershey's Chocolate World when free samples are being given out. Time to finally go into the park! The last time I was here, this entire plaza was mostly dirt and was under heavy construction. They hadn't even started installing Candymonium yet. I do think the turnaround circling the "Kisses Fountain" is a nice touch. Hersheypark's classic Carrousel was integrated into the new Chocolatetown section of the park. Lots of floater air... With three trains at opening, it was a little surprising how poorly managed the operations were for this coaster. By the time we boarded, the coaster had a 65 minute posted wait time (we waited about 30 minutes with our Fast Lane access). Dispatch times for the coaster were... Not great. The interior of the queue is lightly themed to the many Hershey candies... If you have Fast Lane, you link it to the HPGO system, which you get a printed wristband from a kiosk at the front of the park or inside of the park. Not unlike a Magicband, you tap your HPGO band at the entrance of the Fast Lane queue and merge point. If you're eligible to ride, you'll be given the green light to proceed. This looks like your standard B&M hyper coaster train... Which is pretty fitting. Candymonium is a solid B&M hypercoaster... A decent amount of floater airtime and a ridiculously smooth experience. If anything, it feels like the family-friendly alternative to Skyrush right next door, which delivers insane ejector air, way more intense maneuvers and a generally less appealing experience for families... I prefer Skyrush over Candymonium, but I could understand why this was built as an alternative. Sidewinder wasn't running during our visit, but that didn't feel like a major loss for the trip. Now this on the other hand was a welcome sight. Stormrunner had been closed during my last visit to the park, and only reopened for the first time in two years a few days before our visit. The last time I rode the coaster was with TPR on the 2008 East Coast Trip. Stormrunner is short but sweet. The launch is awesome and the top hat is quite fun. Fahrenheit was also closed during our last visit, making it over 13 years since my last ride. I'll probably get some more flack for saying this but I absolutely adore Great Bear. I love the unique layout of this B&M invert and how it interacts with Sooperdooperlooper and Coal Cracker. Skyrush is an insane thrill and definitely one of the most intense coasters I rode on this trip. Sooperdooperlooper was down for the majority of our visit, so I didn't get a chance to ride. I'll eventually get a chance to experience the coaster's new trains... I rarely find myself wanting to ride a log flume but from the queue of Great Bear, Coal Cracker looked really fun. I'll be going out of my way to try this one next time. Just so much going on in one frame and I love it. "Laser Snake Horse of Fire Roll" I believe is how Robb described it recently... I still haven't been on any of the Hershey Triple Tower yet. Such a cool look. Fahrenheit just looks great in person. Especially when trains are running on it... I totally forgot how short these trains were. Overall Fahrenheit is a fun coaster. Not my favorite or least, but right in the middle. Now Lightning Racer... These two will always be amongst my favorites. Still two of my favorites in the park. And they never disappoint! Up next is the final report, part two from my day at Hersheypark!

Universal Studios Hollywood has announced the return of two fan-favorite houses for Halloween Horror Nights 2021, The Exorcist and The Curse of Pandora's Box! https://hollywood.halloweenhorrornights.com/mazes/the-exorcist/ The film that fueled your worst nightmares has returned to Halloween Horror Nights. Enter the most haunting scenes from the film as 12-year-old Regan is possessed by a demon, possibly the devil himself. It’s a battle of the wills between good and evil. https://hollywood.halloweenhorrornights.com/mazes/the-curse-of-pandoras-box-2/ An ancient horror has returned to prey on those foolish enough to tempt the Fates with their curiosity and greed. Enter Pandora’s Curiosity Shop, where her infamous box lies. Once it’s opened, all manner of evil will be unleashed. Greek mythology is about to become your monstrous reality.

SeaWorld Orlando has announced the next haunted house for their first Howl-O-Scream, Beneath The Ice. https://seaworld.com/orlando/events/howl-o-scream/haunted-houses/beneath-the-ice/ Beneath the Ice In the icy wilderness above the Arctic Circle, a research facility was lost…buried under snow and cut off from the outside world. Something compelled you to join the rescue party, but doubt is creeping in. Was that laughter, or the wind? That shiver you feel isn’t just from the cold. These chambers aren’t just frozen tombs. They’re pulsing with unspeakable horrors, and you’ll have to stay frosty and alert to survive. Two new themed bars have been announced for the event as well! https://seaworld.com/orlando/events/howl-o-scream/attractions/ Frozen Terror You might think you’re a safe distance from the snow-entombed research facility, but you’re not free from the frozen horrors. This inhospitable Arctic wasteland is swarming with icy, subhuman walkers. They may have pickaxes and shovels, but they’re not here to help dig for survivors. They’re here to turn you into one of them. Tormented This is one place where a cold frosty one is a good thing. Take refuge from the wintry terrors of the Arctic hellscape outside and do a little refueling here. If you’re feeling mischievous, you can even join in and frighten your fellow expeditioners while they’re braving the horrors beneath the ice. How’s that for refreshing? And the first show coming to Howl-O-Scream Orlando has been announced, Monster Stomp! https://seaworld.com/orlando/events/howl-o-scream/shows/monster-stomp/ Monster Stomp In the misty corners of Victorian-era London, a fiend known only as Jack the Ripper walks the streets. Watch him take the stage in a way you’ve never seen before in this modern rock and rhythm spectacular. Hold onto your seat as electrifying percussion, dancing, and singing combine for a show that’s as darkly entertaining as it is exhilarating.

The next morning we got to Kennywood early just to make sure we could tackle as much as possible for a busy Saturday. Unlike Cedar Point or Hersheypark, Kennywood was a totally new park for me (my first new park in several years). Kennywood definitely has that charming feel that you don't find in the bigger parks. I especially love how the park has gone out of their way to highlight historical structures and attractions--embracing the value of their history as something that sets the park apart. Kennywood was put on my radar years ago thanks to the TPR Coaster Expedition videos, which did an amazing job of highlighting Phantom's Revenge. The entrance plaza is simple and charming. An hour before park opening, this is what the park entrance looked like. It is interesting that this park intentionally opens its gates to guests at a time significantly before the rides open. Steel Curtain towers over most of the park's structures. This thing is absolutely imposing in person. Somebody must've had a lot of fun designing Steel Curtain! While I didn't get to ride Aero 360, I couldn't help but admire its design. Our first stop in the morning was Thuderbolt, as the coaster is running a one-train operation and waits can get lengthy. Only closed because the rides are not operational yet. Thunderbolt's entrance is also a nice vantage point to watch Phantom's Revenge and the Turtle operate. It should be noted that Thunderbolt has a strict no-single riders policy... Meaning that if you're riding alone or in an odd numbered party, be prepared to be paired with or wait for an additional single rider to even it up. These classic trains on Thunderbolt are awesome (and mildly terrifying)! I hope these trains continue to run for a long time! Almost time to ride this beauty... We hopped over to Noah's Ark while it had no line. This unique walk-through attraction just had reopened a few days before our visit, so I was excited to experience it firsthand. The attraction is definitely interesting... It lasts a lot longer than you'd expect. The namesake element for this attraction and one of the last of its kind in existence (and the last in operation, I believe). Noah's looking a little rough... Educational... And entertaining! Sometimes outright trippy. Thunderbolt definitely has a unique layout... I think it was a little overhyped for me but I'm still glad I experienced it once. Now here is something I was especially curious about... As of a few weeks before our visit, The Turtle ended up being the last of its kind in operation in the world. The ride's location is pretty fantastic. I love how Phantom's Revenge trace's The Turtle's edges. I couldn't help but admire... What a fun maneuver! Ok, back to The Turtle... The ride is super unique and throws you around a lot more than I expected. I was super glad I was able to experience this, knowing it is such a rare experience now. Time to head into Lost Kennywood... Hello beautiful! Long have I waited for this moment... Ooogah boogah boogah... Phantom's Revenge has a lot of things going for it. It is ridiculously smooth and it has a very unique layout (and history). And it has some fantastic airtime. Black Widow wasn't operating during our visit but it looked fun. I'm probably gonna get some flack for saying this... But The Exterminator was really, really fun! The combination of the (very standard) Reverchon spinning mouse coaster with a fairly solidly themed dark ride experience made this a pleasant surprise. A really charming corner of the park. SKLOOSH! Ghostwood Estate was operating without its Ghost Blasters... I should've brought my Turkey Caller. The interior is full of animated figures.. There are some projection effects as well. We noticed from across the way that Steel Curtain was finally operating... Sadly the coaster was only running one train, so wait times were abnormally high. We paid for the VIP Coaster Tour access (one time use per ride) and it allowed us to bypass a 120 minute standby queue in favor of being loaded two trains away from boarding in the station. We waited about 20 minutes when all was said and done. Steel Curtain is a really fun coaster for sure. Ridiculously smooth and fun of some maneuvers I'd only expect on an RMC coaster. The trains are themed to sportsball. Other than the themed trains, the color scheme and the venue next door, I don't get what makes it a Steelers coaster... But maybe I just don't care enough about the NFL to find out. All rides must end at the gift shop... The structure itself is pretty impressive. I love that these inverted stalls are finding their way into more coasters. Time for a classic... Really classic. Very, very classic. My first ever "mobius loop" coaster! It was quite fun! This thing is a sight to be seen. 100 years eh? I can see why! Jack Rabbit ended up being my favorite wooden coaster in the park! More history... More awesome trains. Looking back across the midway... Going out... Going over... They have their own Laffin' Sal! I found a model of Steel Curtain in the arcade! If ever you wondered how a family coaster could be if it had two launches and a 90 degree drop, you've been wondering about Sky Rocket. It is a fun little ride. The launches are "cute." Sky Rocket VR wasn't running during our visit but signage was still up for the experience... The hardware was charging and ready to go from what I could tell. Elissa had told me that Auto Race was amongst the park's unique attractions worth visiting for someone as interested in park history as me. More history. I was surprised by the wooden track and the powered rail combo. 15 years ago I might have considered trying to ride this... I've grown up quite a bit. Another unique experience I'm glad I had the chance to ride. This is about as close as I ever got to Thomas Town, but it looked nice. No one told me that Elton John was going to be playing at the park!!! Another recommendation from Elissa... And a delicious recommendation at that! Very RCT3. Turns out there's history here too! Time to take the tunnel to head out. I really enjoyed Kennywood and would definitely come back for another visit at some point in the future.

Intamin has announced the opening of a new launched coaster called "Namazu" at the Vulcania amusement and science park in Puy-de-Dôme, France. This coaster features two launches as well as a drop track element and it is the first roller coaster to operate at Vulcania. https://www.intamin.com/opening-of-namazu/ Intamin’s newest Multi Dimension Launch Coaster, named “Namazu” by the park, successfully opened to the public on July 10th, 2021 at Vulcania, France. Ride Statistics Track Length - 58 Meters Maximum Speed - 69 KM/H Launches - 2 Special Track Element - 1 Drop Track Perfectly integrated into the volcanic landscape of the themed amusement and science park Vulcania in Puy-de-Dôme, France, this Multi Dimension Launch Coaster offers a unique, fully immersive family thrill experience. Following seismologists – who discovered an active seismic zone – the story takes visitors through the themed queue line into the research laboratory of the team “Namazu”, where the scientific adventure begins. After leaving the beautifully themed station, the train enters a stone cave where an earthquake catches the scientists by surprise. This causes the cave to collapse and the train to fall multiple metres downwards to the ground. Escaping the ruins of the cave, the passengers then experience the first launch followed by a panoramic high turn and an airtime hill giving them a good sense of weightlessness. The next exciting elements are a highspeed S-turn, a zig-zag speed bump and finally a jump over an S-hump into the second launch/boost. Picking up more speed, the riders experience the second part of this Multi Dimension Launch Coaster with twists and turns as well as ground-hugging elements over the hills and down the trenches through the beautiful natural landscape surrounding the research centre, where the expedition ends again. 584 meters of track, one launch and one boost with a maximum speed of up to 69 km/h and a special drop track element take the riders on a family friendly, perfectly paced and complementary science adventure. The two 12-seat, ATV themed trains ensure maximum freedom and comfort in combination with highest safety for the passengers. Intamin congratulates Vulcania on their first roller coaster operating in their park and is proud to have contributed to this beautiful project.

Intamin has announced an upgraded "Surf Family" of coasters, Surf Rider 2.0 and Ultra Surf, available for installation at parks around the world! https://www.intamin.com/the-upgraded-intamin-surf-family-the-surf-rider-2-0-and-the-ultra-surf/ The Upgraded Intamin Surf Family: The Surf Rider 2.0 and the Ultra Surf Intamin is proud to present the completely upgraded version of our “Surf Family” coasters: The Surf Rider 2.0 – available in two sizes – and their bigger sibling with an enhanced ride experience: The Ultra Surf. All of them come with a significantly increased capacity and are powered by the most powerful LSM launch system available on the market. They’re packed, and we really mean packed, with weightlessness and airtime moments. After talking to our customers, Intamin decided to make important upgrades to the ”Surf Family” portfolio: We kept the fun ride concept and added improvements which are bound to satisfy both park owners and ridership alike. The new, bigger, state-of-the-art free-spinning gondolas – now with 20 seats instead of 12 – allows us to achieve nearly double the ride capacity per hour. Due to the use of cutting-edge lightweight construction methods and materials we were also able to substantially reduce the weight of the moving masses at the same time. A unique ride-experience – for thrill seekers and for families – provides an enhancement for every park. This, not only because of the abundant theming possibilities but especially due to the ride’s combination of power, compact footprint, capacity and last but not least simply the fun factor! The Ultra Surf The Ultra Surf comes with a large amount of weightlessness and airtime moments: It’s packed with it, not only attributed to the added airtime hill but also because of the two beyond vertical, ejector intense gravity stall ramps. On account of the free-spinning vehicles, the feeling of floating and spinning through the air is experienced in a different way each time, so you’ll want to ride it again and again. Lastly, with the shuttle-style coaster design on a compact footprint, you get an extended coaster feeling with up to 600 metres of experienced track on 180 meters of physical track. For those looking to increase the excitement factor of the Ultra Surf even further, the optional spin-incitation will enhance the intensity of this new member of the “Surf Family”. Another measure to elevate the experience for both riders and spectators alike are the optionally available water features allowing for a number of different fountain patterns. Speeding through a water vortex tunnel, creating a water wall or riding right through a water curtain – the installation of these interactive features allows for a controlled degree of how wet you want your riders to get or simply allows for adaptions to the seasonal weather situation. These effects are not restricted to water, you can theme the ride to a number of other elements, enhance it with fire shows, add a fog tunnel or dedicate the whole ride to a fantasy figure – the theming possibilities of the vehicle and ride design of this iconic structure are abundant. In the end, it doesn’t matter what story you want to tell, the ride system guarantees smiling riders leaving the station wanting to ride again and again. With its compact footprint, in consideration of being a signature attraction, the Ultra Surf is not only a perfect ride for theme and amusement parks, it also serves as a great addition for water parks wanting to give their visitors something really unique and special. The Surf Rider 2.0 The Surf Rider 2.0 – a classic ride reworked to offer you more excitement for more of your guests. By redesigning the vehicle Intamin’s engineers reduced the vehicle weight, almost doubled the instant capacity and added a more powerful spin, guaranteeing that the Surf Rider remains a crowd favourite! The Surf Rider 2.0 still comes in two sizes, both on a very compact footprint. One reaches a total height of 30 meters and the larger version extends up to 40 meters in height. A controlled spin incitation can optionally be added for an even more exciting ride experience. The most obvious characteristic of the nearly self-supporting, iconic U-shaped track is the two beyond vertical spikes – in which the vehicle surfs back and forth – for up to twelve unique moments of airtime-weightlessness for the riders. A fun ride for everyone, perfect for any size or type of park, indoor or outdoor, looking for a unique new crowd puller. Intamin’s Innovations Built in the “Surf Family” The Ultra Surf and the Surf Rider 2.0 come with all the features of the latest Intamin innovations: The vehicles use the most comfortable and popular Intamin over the shoulder seat restraints, which allow for a maximum feeling of freedom. Utilizing Intamin’s state of the art water cooled LSM launch system the vehicle reaches a max. speed of up to 95 km/h and promises a surprisingly powerful acceleration from the very first push. The smooth ride experience is also the result of a simpler and wider track design which allows for less supporting structure.